Down but not out: Man United second string crash to Cluj but still go through to last 16

A Luis Alberto wonderstrike proved the difference at Old Trafford

Sir Alex Ferguson can only hope a change of personnel for Sunday's seismic Manchester derby will yield a different result.

United fell victim to a wonder strike at Old Trafford last night as Ferguson's side slumped to a second straight defeat in their final Group H game.

A stunning second-half strike from midfielder Luis Alberto condemned United to defeat ahead of Sunday's potentially season-defining derby clash with City at the Etihad Stadium.

It was only United's second defeat at home in the Champions League in 37 games and their first since a 1-0 loss to Besiktas in November 2009.

On that occasion, like last night, United were already through to the last 16, so the result was of no consequence in terms of their Champions League fate.

And with Ferguson likely to make wholesale change to his line-up for the City clash, little should be read into this defeat, with so many young and fringe players involved.

Wayne Rooney is the only member of last night's line-up certain to start against City, early qualification for the last 16 affording Ferguson the luxury of resting his key men ahead of Sunday.

As such, Ferguson marked the occasion of his 200th Champions League game with United by making radical alterations to his side.

The United boss made 10 changes from the side that beat Reading 4-3 at the weekend, a defensive performance Ferguson described as a "cartoon cavalcade" ahead of this encounter.

Rooney was the only survivor from the starting line-up at Reading, Ferguson claiming the forward needed game-time to keep him match-sharp ahead of the derby.

With the pressure off and nothing riding on the game, there was a lack of focus and sharpness to United's game early on, with passes going astray and possession squandered cheaply.

United's defence was breached in the 22nd minute, rookie defender Scott Wootton getting back in time to block Modou Sougou's angled effort.

When United did venture forward, they lacked the conviction to make it count, never more so than in the 25th minute, when Tom Cleverley squandered a glorious chance to open the scoring.

Welbeck's persistence saw him win the ball from Felice Piccolo on the edge of the 18-yard box, releasing Cleverley in the process.

Cleverley's first touch was too heavy and took the ball beyond his control, the England midfielder's eventual shot charged down by Cluj keeper Mario Felgueiras.

Phil Jones, making only his second start of the season, slipped in the 28thminute, allowing Camora cross for Sougou, who got in front of Alexander Buttner but could not get his shot on target.

Cluj keeper Felgueiras continued to thwart United, with a double save five minutes before the break, first saving a Welbeck header, then scampering back to his line to tip away an impudent chip from Rooney.

That sustained spell of United pressure ended with Smalling heading wide, as the Romanian champions held on.

United suffered a pre-derby blow moments before half-time when Cleverley was forced off with a calf injury, to be replaced by Paul Scholes.

United were rocked by Luis Alberto's searing 35-yard strike in the 56th minute, which gave keeper De Gea no chance of keeping out.

Scholes lost possession in central midfield with a poor pass to Nick Powell, Alberto collected the ball before unleashing his majestic, curling effort which flew into the top right corner.

Cluj were content to sit on their lead, with victory at that stage enough to see them through to the knockout stage.

But Galatasaray's late strike at Braga, to win 2-1, saw the Turkish champions advance on goal difference at the expense of Cluj, who go into the Europa League.

Jones appealed for a penalty in the 77th minute when he went tumbling to the ground by Ionut Rada, but Italian referee Daniele Orsato remained unconvinced.

Rooney tried to emulate Alberto's strike with a long-range effort of his own with 10 minutes remaining, but his effort lacked power or precision and went straight at Felgueiras.

For United, last night was all about coming through the game without any serious injuries and giving vital match-time to players in need of games, with the main event to come on Sunday.